The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 249 - 127: Changing the Door Frame, Reactions from All Parties (Please Subscribe)_2

Chapter 249: Chapter 127: Changing the Door Frame, Reactions from All Parties (Please Subscribe)_2

Young Master Xu, the Top Scorer? The Top Scorer, Mr. Xu?

It sounds rather unserious upon first hearing it.

"Forget it, if I can successfully become the Top Scorer in the Imperial Examination later, enduring a bit of hardship is no big deal."

Becoming the Top Scorer in South Zhili isn’t a problem, but whether one can make it to the first rank depends on luck.

Because those who can pass the examination are all of decent literary skill, and the Imperial Examination is largely a matter of luck.

Generally, it’s the court elites who review the papers, then discuss, and select ten essays, which are handed over to the Emperor to determine the final rankings.

If the Emperor can’t be bothered, it’s often the Grand Secretary who provides suggestions and the proceedings follow accordingly.

Thus, the rankings in the Imperial Examination are, to a certain extent, influenced by one’s connections and background.

Moreover, if Xu Qing does not partake in next year’s favor-granting examination, he’ll have to wait until the year after next to take it.

Nonetheless, Xu Qing has decided not to participate in next year’s examination.

Taking the examination is merely to become an Imperial Examination graduate, and one has to stay in the Capital, which is far more treacherous than South Zhili and not conducive to his expansion of power.

Staying locally, he could try teaching and changing the local culture, doing more deeds that would earn him "Holy Virtue."

In case he really does meet an early demise, at least he would have contributed to the people of this world, leaving a memory that will be cherished for a long time.

If one cannot achieve Longevity, being remembered by people for a long time is another kind of Longevity.

Being forgotten by everyone is true death.

...

...

Xu Qing is busy with social engagements and continuously contemplates his own affairs.

Meanwhile, the Zhou Family and Li Gongpu are also very busy.

There are three major tasks at hand.

The first is to change the family name plate, the second is to erect the Top Scorer’s archway, and the third is to find a matchmaker to propose marriage to the Imperial Censor Old Master.

Since ancient times, marriages have been based on equal social status.

Bamboo gate matches bamboo gate, vermilion gate matches vermilion gate.

For Feng Xifeng to marry the legitimate daughter of the Zhou Family as an ordinary Scholar has been quite a legendary story in this era.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to call him a modern-day Liang Shanbo.

However, Xu Qing did not ask or inquire about related matters.

Even the hardships and grievances of the past, once Feng Xifeng became a Second Rank Scholar and Imperial Censor, would no longer be repeatedly mentioned by the Zhou Family.

Perhaps trying to vindicate his late wife is also why Feng Xifeng is so eager for achievement.

The future of life is bound to have unexpected turns; one can only grasp the present and race against time.

The same goes for his daughter’s marriage.

The constables who came to bring the good news were from the Imperial Censor’s Government Office and also conveyed Feng Xun’an’s hints for them to quickly prepare for the marriage proposal.

To welcome the new bride, the family name plate must be changed promptly.

At this point, it no longer seemed appropriate to be called "Li Mansion."

The family name plate, also known as "door eyebrow," is the horizontal beam above the door frame.

The height of the door eyebrow is primarily determined by the number of door rungs and steps.

Two door rungs correspond to officials from Seventh Rank to Fifth Rank, and so on, the higher the rank, the more the number of door rungs.

Furthermore, the steps—officials of Sixth or Seventh Rank can have no more than two steps outside their doors, and as the rank increases, so does the number of steps.

Xu Qing is currently a Scholar, and even though a Top Scorer, as he hasn’t held an official position, he can only craft a subtle statement on the name plate after changing it.

In conclusion, it has to appear low-key yet exude high quality and refinement.

It is a true test of the craftsman’s skill.

Besides, there is the Top Scorer’s archway.

This is of utmost importance.

In Zhili Province, since he is the Top Scorer in the entire realm, the Top Scorer’s archway is often built more luxurious and imposing than some of the Imperial Examination graduates’ archways.

Even pregnant with her sixth child, Mrs. Zhou is hands-on, overseeing these matters, and she has specially inquired about related customs, fearful of any mistakes that might become a laughingstock.

Additionally, she and Li Gongpu have agreed that once these matters are settled, they will move out from the Xu Residence completely.

Otherwise, it would be awkward for the new mistress to come in.

Being a woman herself, she understands all too well. She is not a direct elder of Xu Qing’s by blood, and although Qing doesn’t see her that way, the new bride might not feel the same.

Some have told her that it’s not her Li family’s name on the plate, and there’s no need to supervise so meticulously.

You do well, there may be no thanks from the future bride; if it is lacking, you will definitely be criticized.

Mrs. Zhou obviously understands this principle.

Which is why she must handle these tasks impeccably.

She cannot let the new bride pick on the Xu family.

And think that the Li couple was not thorough with Xu Qing.

In truth, she also harbors a bit of guilt because when Qing had just recovered from his severe illness, she had considered replacing Mr. Li’s position with an outsider.

Fortunately, Mr. Li stood firm that one time, not leaving a twist in Qing’s heart.

Still, as Xu Qing’s accomplishments grow, bringing more and more benefits to the family, Mrs. Zhou feels increasingly uneasy.

Even though Xu Qing has been much kinder to her after his severe illness, treating her like a real aunt.

And it’s precisely for this reason that Mrs. Zhou feels even more ashamed.

By doing these things, she feels much better in her heart.

...

...

Back to the day of the provincial exam results.

There were many people waiting for the results of this provincial exam, and once the list was announced, the news of the rankings spread rapidly throughout the various jurisdictions of South Zhili.

In fact, the outcomes of the provincial exams always create some fluctuations in the local authorities, as most Scholars who pass will stay locally and participate in governance, with only a few becoming Imperial Examination graduates.

"What? That beast made Top Scorer."

The Young Master of the Duke Wei Mansion found it hard to accept the news.